FTA unveils new environmental benefits website

The Federal Transit Administration celebrated Earth Day by unveiling a new environmental benefits website highlighting a commitment to investing in affordable, innovative and sustainable public transit alternatives that reduce the nation's carbon footprint and help secure an independent energy future.

"Earth Day reminds us all that we owe it to future generations to safeguard our planet and use its resources wisely, so that we may continue to grow our economy and create good jobs in an environmentally responsible way," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "President Obama's all-of-the-above energy strategy will help us reduce our dependence on oil and tap America's entrepreneurial spirit to create innovative, alternative sources of energy to keep us moving."

Among its features, FTA's new website shows how transit reduces emissions and provides a calculator that tells visitors how much carbon dioxide they would save by riding transit. It showcases investments such as state-of-the-art clean-fuel technologies and highlights progress-providing access to affordable housing near transit and improving transportation in national parks. Visitors to the site can pick up tips for reducing their carbon footprint, review the latest research linking transit and personal health and click on a state to see a selection of new and improved transit services available.

The FTA has invested $366 million over the past three years to: • Reduce greenhouse gas emissions, • Put new, clean fuel transit vehicles on the street, • Spur the transit industry to reduce costs and increase efficiencies through smart energy policies and • Create green jobs for the 21st century.

"As transit ridership reaches record-high levels, we need to find new ways to put clean and green buses, trains and streetcars into service and maintain what we already have," said FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff.